The Pirates are coming off their first postseason berth in 21 years, the Orioles have piled up 178 wins the last two seasons after winning just 69 games in 2011 and even the Royals counted themselves among the contenders well into September last year.

Hope springs eternal, right? Why not?

After all, it's February, pitchers and catchers begin reporting this week and every team starts with a clean slate as the calendar officially flips to baseball season. With that in mind, here's a look at the Padres' most pressing storylines as they prepare for the start of spring training Thursday in Peoria, Ariz.

1. The trainers’ table

The Padres lost nearly 1,200 games over 19 trips to the disabled list in 2013, torpedoing any real chance the cash-strapped Friars had at making a serious run at the postseason, and manager Bud Black’s squad has already suffered its first season-ending injury with news that LHP Cory Luebke is set for his second Tommy John surgery since 2012.

Clearly, that’s not a good omen for 2014, but general manager Josh Byrnes believes he’s assembled a squad deep enough to weather bumps and bruises. Then again, a lot of this year’s fortunes hinge on what the Padres get out of RHP Josh Johnson, a risk/reward signing after a balky elbow played a role in a disastrous 2013 campaign, C Yasmani Grandal on the heels of a knee injury that might not keep him out of the Opening Day lineup and outfielders Carlos Quentin and Cameron Maybin after injury-shortened seasons. The Padres also saw regulars Chase Headley (thumb), Yonder Alonso (hand), Everth Cabrera (hamstring), Jedd Gyorko (groin) and Carlos Quentin (knee) miss valuable time on the disabled list as the team faded out of contention last year.

2. Should he stay or should he go?

With a one-year, $10.525 million contract on the books to avoid arbitration with Chase Headley in his final year before free agency, the Padres are counting on their switch-hitting third baseman to be a big part of their club for at least the 2014 season. However, whatever momentum Headley had after a breakout 2012 campaign was washed away with the broken thumb he sustained last spring in a lost season that left most everyone wondering just who Headley really is? A strong spring could indicate a rebound is around the corner, while another “off” season could force the Padres to explore the dwindling trade market for the one-time hot commodity.

3. An All-Star’s return

SS Everth Cabrera made the Padres go last year. They were 48-47 with him atop the lineup and 28-39 without him – first with a hamstring strain and then with a 50-game PED suspension stemming from his ties to the Miami-based anti-aging clinic scandal. Before that, Cabrera was on his way to leading the NL in steals for a second-straight year while posting a .355 on-base percentage as the Padres’ lone All-Star. Assimilating back into the clubhouse will be as important to Cabrera as building upon a breakthrough 2013 campaign.

4. Arms race

Over the last two years, the Padres have called on the likes of journeymen Jason Marquis, Kip Wells and Ross Ohlendorf to take the mound when injuries mounted. That won’t be the case in 2014. With the recent acquisitions of RHPs Josh Johnson and Ian Kennedy to go along with up-and-coming RHPs Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross, the Padres have the makings of a rotation that could cut through some of the game’s best lineups. Beyond dependable LHP Eric Stults in the fifth spot, youngsters Burch Smith, Robbie Erlin, Joe Wieland and Casey Kelly will push for major league innings, while top prospects Matt Wisler and Max Fried aren’t too far behind.

Some of those names – not to mention fast-rising RHP Leonel Campos – could wind up competing for a role in the bullpen ahead of RHP Joaquin Benoit and LHP Alex Torres, a pair of newcomers who’ll help set up closer Huston Street in the final year of his contract. How it all shakes out – in the rotation and in the pen – will be worth watching all spring.

5. The outfield logjam

“Another fourth outfielder?” That was the consensus knee-jerk reaction from fans after the Padres shipped RHP Luke Gregerson to Oakland for OF Seth Smith. A closer look at the trade, however, reveals a left-handed bat with pop and on-base skills that could provide much-needed balance for a team that slashed .241/.303/.365 against right-handed pitching last year.

Of course, working Smith seamlessly into the outfield rotation might prove easier said than done. After all, Will Venable deserves a chance for more at-bats after his second-half breakout, Carlos Quentin is a feared run-producer when healthy and Cameron Maybin is still owed $20 million over the next three years. Oh, and let’s not forget Chris Denorfia, Kyle Blanks and Alexi Amarista have all been part of the outfield mix in the past. That’s a lot for manager Bud Black to figure out over the next six weeks.